Sunday, March 29, 2009

inner life



The more inner and the less outer life a novel presents, the higher and nobler will be its purpose... Art consists in achieving the maximum of inner motion with the minimum of outer motion; for it is the inner life which is the true object of our interest.

Arthur Schopenhauer

Picture: All Rights Reserved ® aml.2009

Monday, March 23, 2009

an Arahat



(An Arahat's) good actions may appear quite similar to the moral deeds of noble(though unliberated)worldlings, but the Arahat's actions are not motivated by the slightest trace of craving and ignorance. In the Arahat's mind, there is no greed (craving) by way of wishing that his virtue be recognized and appreciated, no delusion (ignorance) by way of a proud satisfaction in "being good", no illusionary expectations as to the result of these good actions; nor is there any other self-reference in any form whatever. An Arahat's good actions are a spontaneous outflow of a fully purified mind and heart, responding without hesitation to situations where help is needed and possible. But though his actions may be inspired by sympathy and compassion, beneath them there is detachment and deep serenity instead of emotional involvement. As long as the momentum of his life-force lasts, the Arahat lives on as an embodiment of wisdom and compassion. But as the Arahat's mind no longer clings to anything, not even to the results of his actions, there is no potentiality left for any future rebirth. The life-nourishing sap conveyed by the roots has ceased to flow, and the roots of continued existence themselves are cut off.

The Roots of Good and Evil by Nyanaponika Thera


Picture: All Rights Reserved aml.2009

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

great silence



The great silences of the desert are not void of sound,
but void of distractions.
One day, this landscape will take
the language out of me.

Terry Tempest Williams


Picture by: Stefan Mendelsohn @ Flickr

Friday, March 06, 2009

transforming pain



Pain is part of our experience of life in a human body. There is no way to escape from feeling pain sooner or later. We often fear pain and feel victimized by it. Being in pain now we may remember pain of the past and anticipate more pain in the future. And pain can remind us that our life span is finite, our connection to life fragile, and beings everywhere experience pain in one way or another.

Continue reading:
Transforming Pain by Roshi Joan Halifax



Picture: All Rights Reserved aml.2008